Justin Theroux The Emmy-winning actor, writer, and producer on Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, his roles in cult classics, and the enduring love for The Leftovers

I was absolutely a fan.

- MEGAN MCCLUSKEY

It's been over 35 years since Beetlejuice was released. Were you a fan of the original movie when it came out? It came out at a time when I wasn't aware of what was a studio movie vs. an independent movie. But it definitely felt very independent and like it was just mine. I loved it.

What stood out to you about Tim Burton's process as a filmmaker? We're blessed with very few directors whose films are just so singular and so visionary, and where there's a very short distance between their brain and the screen. [Federico] Fellini is one. And [David] Lynch. I think Tim falls into that category. We're lucky enough that the system has allowed him to have that outlet and sort of create his own genre. He really does make [all of his movies] feel like independent films. He puts a very thick, cozy bubble on the cast and the day's work. He's also incredibly energetic, like water skidding across a hot pan. He rarely puts his butt down on his director's chair.